Game Thread: Twins @ Yankees, 6/1@12:05pm CT

[Squirrel]

Game-time forecast: Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 1-5 m.p.h. Temperature near 75.

 

Twins:

SP, Hughes

 

Dozier 2B

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Arcia RF

Willingham DH

Kubel LF

Suzuki C

Escobar SS

Hicks CF

 

Yankees:

SP, Whitley

 

Gardner LF

Jeter SS

Ellsbury CF

McCann C

Solarte 3B

Suzuki RF

Roberts 2B

Johnson 1B

Almonte DH

 

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Again, we are waiting on the coffee ... once up, engaged, thinking, thoughts will be posted. By Brian. By all.

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Things to Think About:

 

1. Phil Hughes -- Returning to Yankee stadium... Ballplayers publicly will express the "just another game" cliché from time to time but this has to be more than "just another game" for Mr. Hughes. He was a consistent average to bad ERA during his time as a Yankee. The Yankee press and mild mannered fans used to use filthy language in his direction. Sister Agnes from St. Patricks once called him a %%$**%&*^$$# in the June 12, 2011 church bulletin and the Cardinals all agreed. He arrived at the age of 21... Ballyhooed as a prospect and unmet expectation were a bad combination in a fish bowl like Yankeeville. He's had a fantastic turnaround thus far in 2014 with our Twins. Many people attribute it to leaving the Yankee stadium bandbox. I think it's the facial hair. Facial hair is banned in New York... since coming to Minnesota. He's letting his face freak flag fly. This probably isn't just another game... I think Phil wants to show everyone... that he... umm... can grow facial hair.

 

2. Chase Whitley -- A 24 year old converted reliever takes the mound for the Yankees... I'm not sure anyone had this guy on their prospect radar but the health issues with the rotation has forced the Yankees to be creative. I've never seen him pitch before so I don't know what he offers but I have read that he spent time as a closer in the minors and the Yankees have only recently started to stretch him out as a starter. We talk about learning curves on TD and weather they should take place in MLB or the minors. Here is a case... out of necessity where the player has to learn and develop at the highest level. He's from Ranburne Alabama population 459... The other 458 people in Ranburne just sit on the porch and look at the junked cars on their lawn.

 

3. Brian Dozier -- The guy has hit a rough patch... He must have left his bat in San Francisco (Try reading that line without singing). In the past 8 games he is 2 for 31... In comparison... Aaron Hicks is 2 for 11 in his past 7 games and Aaron is doing that while learning to hit on a unicycle. If anybody would have started the season 2 for 27. The articles and posts would be flying. Don't get me wrong... I love the Bull-Dozier... I'm not suggesting that we send him down immediately. It's just a slump but my larger point is... If he's scuffling... It's Ok to give him a day of rest. I would have given Nunez a start today at 2B against his former club.

 

4. Jason Kubel -- Kubes is back in the lineup today. In the past 15 games... Jason is 0 for his last 17. Jason kicked off the season nicely but nice has turned belligerent as the calendar turns to June. I have no problem with him being in the lineup. I do believe that if you are rostered... You should play some days. Kubel has spent some time on the bench lately. However... I'd like to point out that Parmelee hasn't played much lately and Pinto hasn't played much either. Kubel seems to be the go to guy slumpee.

 

5. Talkative Women -- I was reading a newspaper article that stated that Women have better verbal skills than Men. Well... Clearly that article was written by a... umm... you know... umm... You see... I think they practice it lots.

[Beezer07]

I understand Willingham can't play LF every day, but isn't there a legit LFer the Twins can run out there instead of Kubes?

[Squirrel]

Who would you suggest? Nunez?

[Squirrel]

Well, hmm, I guess there's Parms.

[jokin]

I understand Willingham can't play LF every day, but isn't there a legit LFer the Twins can run out there instead of Kubes?

 

No. Up until Hammer and Arcia came back, the club was rostering 2 OF on the entire 25-man. Fuld could fill that role, but every indication is that when he returns he will be taking Hicks' spot.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Kubel has been having better at bats, been seeing the ball well in batting practice. Hitting it all over the place. So say Gardy and Kubel.

 

Meanwhile, does Kubel really need to still bat in the middle of the lineup and take at-bats from Pinto? Good grief...

[Beezer07]

I think Parms would be better, but really I'm just surprised that the ONLY options Twins have for left field (excluding Hammer) are a bunch of slow to slow-ish guys who can't hit.

[longstrangetrip]

After facing the baffling Tanaka yesterday, the Twins face rookie Chase Whitley. He was a late draft choice for the Yankees, was used mostly as a reliever in college and the minors, and appears to be a pitch to contact kind of guy. I think we get a lot of runs today, and even the struggling HRubel and Mauer pick it up. We may need the runs too, because I'm concerned Hughes returns to earth pitching in Yankee Stadium. Although the Yanks' lineup doesn't look very formidable with Texeira out.

 

Twins win 9-5

[JB_Iowa]

Kubel has been having better at bats, been seeing the ball well in batting practice. Hitting it all over the place. So say Gardy and Kubel.

 

Gardenhire sounds like a broken record (if any of you still remember them) when it comes to Kubel, Mauer, Bartlett (early on) and any of his oldie-but-goodies he can drum up.

[longstrangetrip]

Gardenhire sounds like a broken record (if any of you still remember them) when it comes to Kubel, Mauer, Bartlett (early on) and any of his oldie-but-goodies he can drum up.

 

Loyalty is usually an admirable quality. Unfortunately it's sometimes a liability for Gardy.

[Beezer07]

I would certainly hope a guy can "see" a straight-as-an-arrow 80mph BP fastball.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

After facing the baffling Tanaka yesterday, the Twins face rookie Chase Whitley. He was a late draft choice for the Yankees, was used mostly as a reliever in college and the minors, and appears to be a pitch to contact kind of guy. I think we get a lot of runs today, and even the struggling HRubel and Mauer pick it up. We may need the runs too, because I'm concerned Hughes returns to earth pitching in Yankee Stadium. Although the Yanks' lineup doesn't look very formidable with Texeira out.

 

Twins win 9-5

 

Sounds great. Let's call the Yankees this morning and tell them not to bother showing up

[Shane Wahl]

Kubel shouldn't be on the roster anymore, much less plugging it up ahead of two guys with .360+ OBP.

[Squirrel]

True, but it's not what is; at least not today. So who should play left if not Kubel while Willy DH's given our roster as it is today?

[jokin]

Kubel has been having better at bats, been seeing the ball well in batting practice. Hitting it all over the place. So say Gardy and Kubel.

Meanwhile, does Kubel really need to still bat in the middle of the lineup and take at-bats from Pinto? Good grief...

 

Has Kubel been "squaring up better" and "getting the barrel of the bat on the ball", as well?

 

(To be fair, Kubel has cut his K% to only 23% in the last 2 weeks over 31.7% on the season, and his BABIP over that span is an incredibly low .167, so maybe there's something to what they allege is happening.)

[Gibby]

Rainy days and Sundays always get me down.

[Guest USAFChief]

Rainy days and Sundays always get me down.

nothin' to do but frown.

[Squirrel]

Damn it ... i POSTED that lineup ... where'd it go???

[Gibby]

Rainy days and Sundays always get me down.

 

and so does Roy Smally

[JB_Iowa]

Rainy days and Sundays always get me down.

 

Not me. We need rain big time. A piddly .3 overnight. We need at least 3 good inches (plus more on a regular basis).

 

Rain, Rain, Rain .... come our way.

[Squirrel]

Sorry the Twins lineup wasn't in the set up ... I swear I posted it with an edit. Hmmm ...

[Guest USAFChief]

Damn it ... i POSTED that lineup ... where'd it go???

My Mother would say that all the time.

[Gibby]

Not me. We need rain big time. A piddly .3 overnight. We need at least 3 good inches (plus more on a regular basis).

 

Rain, Rain, Rain .... come our way.

 

We had a deluge last night. I'm trying to decide if I want to watch this game or go get shnockered at Grand old Days.

[Gibby]

Kubel was cat-like on that one.

[Guest USAFChief]

I blinked and somehow missed the top of the first.

[diehardtwinsfan]

After facing the baffling Tanaka yesterday, the Twins face rookie Chase Whitley. He was a late draft choice for the Yankees, was used mostly as a reliever in college and the minors, and appears to be a pitch to contact kind of guy. I think we get a lot of runs today, and even the struggling HRubel and Mauer pick it up. We may need the runs too, because I'm concerned Hughes returns to earth pitching in Yankee Stadium. Although the Yanks' lineup doesn't look very formidable with Texeira out.

 

Twins win 9-5

 

Shortly thereafter, Ryan calls Cashman and offers him KC for TJ recovering Manny Banuelos.

[Squirrel]

My Mother would say that all the time.

 

Hey, who are you referring to as your mother, Grandpa?

[Gibby]

My wife and kids are sitting around here. They said they weren't going to Grand today because of the rain. They heard me making arrangements to meet friends at a party. They are now all scrambling around the bathroom fixing their hair.

[Halsey Hall]

Saw some video from Grand and it looks fun! Go!

[Guest USAFChief]

Hey, who are you referring to as your mother, Grandpa?

...if the avatar fits...

//anyway...it's a RB related thing//